Major Characters
General Jack Ripper............Sterling Hayden
A clearly insane US Airforce General who decides to
personally launch a nuclear attack against the Soviet Union.
Captain Lionel Mandrake.........Peter Sellers
Rippers charming English executive officer who
tries to stop Ripper from starting a nuclear war.
General Buck Turgidson..........George C. Scott
The somewhat crazy Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
(The Joint Chiefs advise the President on military issues).
President Merkin Muffley.........Peter Sellers
The nice and normal President of the United States.
Major King Kong..................Slim Pickins
The colorful pilot of an Air Force Jet that goes to bomb Russia.
Dr. Strangelove.................Peter Sellers
President Muffleys German advisor on nuclear
weapons, who may be as insane as General Ripper.
Plot Summary
This is Hollywoods most famous attempt to look at the dangers of the Cold War,
made just two years after the Cuban Missile Crisis almost resulted in an actual
nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union. It is the story of
General Jack Ripper, a clearly insane US Air Force General who decides to launch
a nuclear strike against the Soviet Union because he is convinced the communists
are out to secretly take over the world by fluoridating the water (Fluoride is a
substance that had been added to much of the US water supply since the 1950s in
order to fight tooth decay, but many extremely conservative Americans truly thought
it was a "communist plot").
After General Ripper orders the airplanes at his base to attack the Soviets, Captain
Mandrake, a British officer, tries to figure out the secret code that will tell the
airplanes to abandon the attack and return to base. Meanwhile, General Turgidson and
the militarys other top leaders must explain to President Muffley the options available
in this emergency. Turgidson himself soon argues for a massive follow-up attack to prevent
the Soviets from successfully counter-attacking with their own nuclear weapons,
but the President decides to try and help the Soviets knock down whatever planes the
Americans can not successfully communicate with (Once the planes cross into Soviet airspace,
they are instructed to respond only to a secret three letter code, that apparently,
only General Ripper knows!).
Unfortunately, the situation is complicated by the fact that the Soviet ambassador
to the United States reveals to the American government that the Soviets possess a
"doomsday device" that will automatically destroy virtually all life on earth if his
country is ever attacked, and thus if just one US plane is not stopped, it could mean
the end of civilization! Of course, for General Turgidson and Dr. Strangelove, such news
is not entirely bad, for it may give the United States another opportunity to beat the
Soviets, if enough Americans can survive ..by living underground for the next 100 years.
A Quick Note on the Cast: Note that the same British actor, Peter Sellers, plays the
roles of Captain Mandrake, President Muffley and Dr. Strangelove!
Some Words and Expressions that You May not KnowGeneral Ripper, cool and calm, decides to start a nuclear war.
It is the stated position of the US Airforce that their safeguards would
prevent the occurrence of such events as are depicted in this film.
A "stated position" is a written or spoken statement or policy.
A "safeguard" is anything that is used to prevent an accident or danger.
"To depict" something is to describe or portray it.
Ominous rumors had been privately circulating...that the Soviet Union
had been at work at what was darkly hinted to be the ultimate weapon.
If a piece of news is "ominous," it suggests something bad is going
to happen. A "rumor" is a piece of news that spreads from one person
to another which may or may not be true. If a rumor "circulates," it spreads
from one person to the next. In this case, "to hint" at something is to
indirectly suggest it without actually saying it. Here, "the ultimate weapon"
is one that would destroy all life on earth.
A Doomsday Device.
"Doomsday" is the day that everything is destroyed, and a "device" is a
type of machine (In this case, a machine that can launch a nuclear war).
Intelligence sourcestraced the sight of the top secret project to the
perpetuallyfog-shrouded wasteland below the Arctic peaks of the Zhokov Islands.
"Intelligence sources" are often spies who work for foreign governments.
"Perpetually" means constantly or for long periods of time. If a mountain
is "fog-shrouded," it is covered by fog (low clouds).
Why it should be located in such a remote, desolate place, no one could say.
If a place is "remote," it is far from other inhabited places.
If it is "desolate," it is sad, lonely or occupied by few living beings.
You dont think Id ask if you recognize my voice
unless it was pretty damn important, do you?
A common filler word to express emotion such as anger or frustration.
Let see if we can stay on the ball.
In this case, a way of saying to stay focused
on one particular subject in the conversation.
Has the wingconfirmed holding at their failsafe points?
In this film, "the wing" refers to the several attack planes of a particular
division in the Air Force. "To confirm" something is to verify that it is true.
Here, a "failsafe point" is a point in space where the planes can easily be
contacted, so that they will not mistakenly attack the Russians.
The base is being put on condition red. I want
this flashed to all sections immediately.
The "base" refers to an Air Force base, and "condition red" is a military way
of saying a state of high alert or emergency. Here, "to flash" a piece of news
is to officially announce it.
Jolly good idea.
A very British way of saying excellent idea.
Keeps the men on their toes.
A way of saying to keep people alert or emotionally prepared.
Im afraid this is not an exercise
In this case, an "exercise" is a test (as opposed to "the real thing").
It looks like were in a shooting war.
A war with actual fighting, unlike the Cold War, in which the US and
the Soviet Union were enemies, but never actually shot at each other.
My orders are for this base to be sealed tight and thats what I mean to do.
"To seal off" a place such as a base is to make it impossible
for anybody to enter it (and often even to leave it).
I want you to transmitPlan R, R for Robert, to the wing.
"To transmit" a message is to send it, usually electronically.
In this film, "Plan R" is a plan to attack the Soviet Union if
the US believes that it has been attacked (R = Retaliation, which
means to strike back, but of course, the Russians had not attacked!).
Is it that bad, Sir? :: It looks like its pretty hairy.
This is General Rippers silly way of saying serious or dangerous.
I want all privately owned radios to be immediately impounded.
"To impound" something is to seize or take it under government orders.
They might be used to issue instructions to saboteurs.
A "saboteur" is a person, often working for a foreign government,
who secretly tries to destroy machines or other property.
After youve done that, report back to me.
"To report" to a person is to officially inform
them of information that has been obtained.
Americas strategic air command maintains
a large force of B-52 bombersairborne 24 hours a day.
The "strategic air command" refers to the leaders of the Air Force.
B-52s were a well known airplane that carried nuclear bombs, and if
a plane is "airborne," it is in the air, as opposed to on the ground.
50 megatons...equal to 16 times the total explosive force
of all the bombs and shells by all the armies of World War 2.
A "megaton" equals a million tons of TNT, which is a well known explosive
(This is a huge amount!) A "shell" is an explosive from a large gun.
The Airborne Alert force is deployed from the Persian Gulf to Arctic Ocean.
"To deploy" a group of planes in a particular
place is to station or locate them there.
They are all 2 hours from their targets inside Russia.
In this case, a "target" is a place that one is trying to fire at or destroy.
I just got a message from CRM...It decodes as wing attack plan R.
"CRM" is a secret military code (Its actual meaning is not revealed in
the film). "To decode" a message is to translate it into an understandable language.
I dont want no horsing around on the airplane.
To "horse around" is to play around or act like small children.
Earphones.
Small devices that you can put in your ear to
listen to a radio or phone without disturbing others.
Is it possible this is some kind of loyalty test?
In this case, a type of test to see whether a person is likely to follow
instructions, even if those instructions are difficult to carry out.
Give the go-code and recall to see who would actually go?
The "go-code" is the Air Force instructions to pilots to actually
carry out their mission (in this case, to bomb the Soviet Union). To
"recall" a plane is to tell it to come back or return from where it was going.
Aint nobody ever got the go-code yet.
A very ungrammatical way of saying "Nobody has ever..."
You should never use the word aint!
Old Ripper wouldnt be giving us Plan R unless those Ruskies had
already clobbered Washington and other towns with a sneak attack.
"Ruskie" is a very dated and silly way of referring to the Russians.
"To clobber" a person is to hit them very hard. A "sneak attack" is a
sudden and unexpected military strike.
Well boys, I reckon this is it.
"To reckon" is an old-fashioned but still used word meaning to think.
Something doggoned important is going on back there.
"Doggoned" is a dated and silly way of saying very.
I got a fair idea of some of the emotions some of you fellows may be thinking.
"Fellow" is another word for guy.
Heck, I reckon you wouldnt even be human beings if you
didnt have some strange feelings about nuclear combat.
"Heck" is an old-fashioned filler word used to express emotion such
as surprise or anger. "Combat" is another word for war or fighting.
Folks back home are counting on you,
and by golly, we aint about to let them down.
"Folks" is another word for people. "To count on" a person is to
depend on them. "By golly" is a very dated way of showing emotion.
"To let a person down" is a common way of saying to disappoint them.
If this turns out to be half as important as I figure it might be, youre
all in line for some important promotions and personal citations.
If a situation "turns out" well, it concludes or ends up well. "To figure" is
to think or believe. A "promotion" is a raise in salary or job responsibility
and "personal citations" are awards or official letters of thanks, in this case
from the Air Force.
Regardless of your race, color or creed...
Another word for religious or philosophical belief.
General Turgidson learns of the crisis as Ripper seals off his base, and then explains to Mandrake the real reason the communists must be eliminated...
Oh, were just catching up on some of the generals paperwork.
"To catch up on" work is do what should have been done earlier (and thus
now there is a lot of work left to do). "Paperwork" usually refers to work
that is done in an office or at a desk.
Hes tied up. Im afraid he cant come to the phone.
If a person is "tied up," they are busy doing something.
For Petes ----. Find out what he wants.
"For petes sake" is a way of expressing anger or frustration.
They monitored a transmission about eight
minutes ago from Burpelson Airforce Base.
"To monitor" a phone call or other communication is to try and listen to it.
It decoded as Wing Attack Plan R. :: Tell him
to call whats-his-name. Base commander Ripper.
A common way of referring to a person if youve forgotten their name.
All communications are dead. :: Bull! Tell him to do it himself.
"Bull" is a way of referring to nonsense or lies, although
note that the more common word is "bullshit."
Whats cooking on the threat board?
"Whats cooking" is a very colloquial way of asking whats happening?
In this film, the "threat board" is the large map in the war room that
is used to show where both US and Russian planes are located (Here, a
threat is the danger of a possible military attack).
Tell you what you better do, old buddy.
"Buddy" is another word for friend (And Turgidsons nickname).
Give Elmo and Charlie a blast and bump up everybody up to Condition Red.
A "blast" is an explosion, though Turgidson uses it to mean phone call.
Here, to "bump up" a person is to raise their level of alertness.
I thought I might mosey over to the war room to see whats doing over there.
"To mosey over" to a place is a slangy way of saying to slowly
move toward it (Note that Turgidson says "whats doing," though
everyone else says "whats happening").
You just start your countdown, and old
Buddy will be back here before you say blastoff.
A "countdown is the counting of numbers from 10 down to 0.
A "blastoff" is the act of a rocket lifting off from earth toward space.
Your commie has no regard for human life, not even his own.
A "commie" is a ridiculous and dated slang word for a communist.
I want to impress upon you the need for extreme watchfulness.
"To impress upon" a person is to convince them of something.
"Extreme watchfulness" is a very high state of caution or alert,
most likely to watch out for an enemy sneak attack.
The enemy may even come in the uniform of our own troops.
A "uniform" is the official clothing of an organization,
in this case of the US army. "Troops" are soldiers.
Trust no one, whatever his uniform or rank.
A persons "rank" is their level of responsibility (Captain, General, etc).
Anyone or anything that approaches within
200 yards of the perimeter is to be fired upon.
A "yard" is three feet long. The "perimeter" of a place is the outer
edge or border. If a person is being "fired upon, " they are being shot at.
I would sooner accept a few casualties through accident than
lose the entire base and its personnel through carelessness.
"Casualties" are injuries or death due to war. "Personnel" are the
people who work at a company or other organization. "Carelessness" is
the act of being forgetful, reckless or not careful.
In the two years that it has been my privilege to be your
commanding officer, I have always expected the best from you.
A "privilege" is a high honor or feeling of gratefulness.
Heres the attack profile, Sir.
In this case, the detailed plans of the possible attack (A profile
can be a description or the drawing of the side of a persons face).
To ensure that the enemy cannot monitor voice transmission, or plant false
transmissions, the CRM 114 is to be switched into all receiver circuits.
In this context, "to plant" a false transmission is to send a message
while pretending to be somebody that you are not (i.e. .the Russians
would call US pilots claiming to be American).
The code prefix is to be set on the dials of the CRM.
Here, a "code prefix" is a secret three digit number (4-2-1). A "dial"
is the wheel of an old phone or other instrument that was used to
set numbers (The CRM is a device for receiving secret messages).
Roger. Ready to set code prefix.
An important military word that simply means OK or understood.
Check auto-destruct circuits.
The electronic parts of a device that are designed to destroy
themselves if something happens that would make them dangerous
(A circuit is a tiny metal ring through which electricity travels).
Primary target; The ICBMcomplex at La Puta.
A "primary target" is the first place that a military attack is designed to destroy.
"ICBM" stands for Inter-Continental-Ballistic-Missile, and thus the ICBM complex are
buildings (near the town of La Puta) where the Soviets stored nuclear missiles that
could reach the U.S.
Thirty megaton nuclear device will be used if first
malfunctions. Otherwise, proceed to secondary target.
A "nuclear device" is a military way of saying a nuclear bomb! If a machine
"malfunctions," it fails to work correctly. "To proceed" is to move forward.
Something rather interesting has just cropped up.
In this case, "rather" is another way of saying somewhat or a little.
If something "crops up," it suddenly appears, often unexpectedly.
Civilian broadcasting. I think these fellows in the
Pentagon have given us an excuse to check our readiness.
"Civilian broadcasting" refers to regular programming on commercial radio
(such as pop music), as opposed to military programming or music.
"Readiness" is a formal word for state of preparation.
Our fellows will be inside Russian radar cover in about 20 minutes.
"Radar" is a technology that, among other things, allows nations to see
planes from other countries that are secretly flying into their airspace.
Listen to that; Chock full of stations all churning it out.
To be "chock full of" something is to be completely filled with it.
To "churn out" a product is to continually produce or manufacture a
lot of it over a long period of time.
I thought of our fellows hitting their stuff;
If they do, it would cause a bit of a stink.
"Stuff" can mean any kind of "thing," though here it refers to Russias military
bases. "To cause a bit of a stink" is a British way of saying to cause some problems.
Group Captain, the officer exchange program does not
give you any special prerogatives to question my orders.
A "prerogative" is a fancy word for a special right, power or privilege.
Lets face it; We dont really want to start
a nuclear war unless we really have to, do we?
A common way to start a discussion when you want the
listener to consider the hard reality of a difficult situation.
The planes are not going to be recalled.
If a plane is "recalled," it is ordered back to where it came from.
My attack orders have been issued and the orders stand.
"To issue" an order is to announce it and demand that it
be carried out, and if an order "stands," it remains in force.
That would be a rather odd way of looking at it.
A great word for strange or bizarre.
Im afraid Im still not with you.
One way of saying "I still dont understand what youre saying."
I would say theres something dreadfully wrong somewhere.
A powerful adverb meaning horribly or terribly
("To dread" something is to greatly fear it).
Why dont you take it easy, Group Captain.
A very common way of saying to relax.
Please make me a drink of grain alcohol and rain water.
A very pure and strong (and dreadful) alcoholic drink.
As an officer in Her Majestys Airforce, it is my clear duty under the
present circumstances to issue the recall code upon my own authority...
"Her Majesty" is the Queen of England. "Circumstances" are the facts
of a situation, and "authority" is another word for control or power.
I have to ask for the key and the recall code; Have you got them handy, Sir?
If something is "handy," it is easy to physically take or grab.
I suppose its never occurred to you that while were chattering here so
enjoyably, a decision is being made by the President and the Joint Chiefs...
"To chatter" is to talk quickly, often about unimportant topics. The "Joint Chiefs"
are the leaders of the different sections of the military (Army, Air Force and Navy),
who directly report to the President.
...in the war room at the Pentagon.
The huge five sided headquarters of the US military.
When they realize that there is no way of recalling the wing, theyll
realize theres only one course of action open; Total commitment.
This is Rippers way of saying the US will have to do everything it
can to destroy the Russian nuclear forces, since the Russians will surely
try to attack the US after the US attacked Russia first.
Do you recall what Clemenceau said about war?
In this case, to "recall" is to remember. Clemenceau
was President of France during World War 1.
Today, war is too important to be left to the politicians.
This is Rippers way of saying that military men, not
politicians, should decide when a war is going to happen.
They have neither the time, training, nor inclination for strategic thought.
If a person has the "inclination" to do something, they have the general
desire or liking to do it. "Strategic" refers to the art of skillful
planning for war, business or other complex activities.
I can no longer sit back here and allow communist infiltration,
communist indoctrination, communist subversion...
"To infiltrate" a body, nation or group is to secretly sneak into it,
"Indoctrination" is the act of convincing a person of a particular political
or religious viewpoint, usually by psychological manipulation. "Subversion" is
the act of trying to overthrow a government by acting from within it.
...and the international communist conspiracy...
to sap and impurify all of our preciousbodily fluids.
"The international communist conspiracy" refers to the belief that the
Soviet Union and other communist powers were out to make the whole world
communist. "To sap" is to weaken, and "to impurify" is to make impure, or
to corrupt. "Precious" is very valuable and rare, and "bodily fluids" refer
to such fluids as saliva and blood. This is perhaps Rippers most ridiculous
line in the movie.
President Muffley handles the crisis in the war room as Turgidson suggests a massive strike to lessen a Soviet nuclear counterattack.Mr. President, the Secretary of State is in
Vietnam...but the undersecretaries are all here.
Note that the President is always addressed as "Mr. President." The "Secretary
of State" is responsible for US foreign relations. An "undersecretary" works
under the Secretary of Defense or Secretary of State or other powerful
government official.
The 34 B-52s of his wing, which were airborne at the time.
A B-52 is a large and powerful plane designed to drop nuclear bombs.
The order called for the planes to attack their targets inside Russia.
A "target" is a particular place that is to be attacked.
The aircraft will begin penetrating Russian radar cover within 25 minutes.
"To penetrate" a country is to forcefully enter it.
I was the only one in authority to order the use of nuclear weapons.
A person "in authority" has the power to give orders.
Its beginning to look like General Ripper exceeded his authority.
"To exceed" ones authority is to go beyond what is actually allowed.
Perhaps youve forgotten the provisions of Plan R, Sir.
A "provision" of a plan is a particular agreement or condition,
which may become effective if certain events happen.
Plan R is an emergency war plan in which a lower echelon
commander may order a nuclear retaliation after a sneak attack...
"Echelon" is another word for rank or level of power. "Retaliation"
is the act of hitting or striking back after having been attacked.
...if the normal chain of command has been disrupted.
"The chain of command" is the order in which commands are passed down
(from the President to Secretary of Defense to a General to lower officers
and soldiers). If something is "disrupted," it is prevented from operating
effectively or smoothly.
Surely you recall when Senator Beaufort made that
big hassle about our deterrent lacking credibility?
A "hassle" is a problem or difficulty. In this context, "deterrent" is the
power to convince the enemy not to attack because of the threat of an
overwhelming counterattack. "Credibility" is believability.
Plan R was to be a retaliatory safeguard.
Here, the threat of a counterattack that is so deadly that
the enemy (the Soviets) would never attack first.
I admit that the human element seems to have failed us here.
In this case, "the human element" refers to the
unpredictability of human behavior or actions.
They could knock out Washington, and yourself, as part of a sneak attack,
and escape retaliation because of a lack of propercommand and control.
"To knock out" a city is to destroy it or severely damage it so that leaders
living there could not communicate. "Retaliation" is the act of counter-attacking.
In this context, "proper" means sufficient and "command and control" refers to
the structure of military command, from the President on downward.
Once they fly beyond failsafe, they do not require a second order to proceed.
The "failsafe" point of a plane is the point beyond which it is in
communication with home base. "To proceed" is to move forward.
Why havent you radioed the planes, countermanding the go code?
"To countermand" a previous order is to
instruct people to ignore it or not follow it.
A special codeddevice, which I believe is designated as
CRM 114...is designed not to receive any messages at all...
If something is "coded," it is in the form of a secret message that
can only be read by certain people. A "device" is a machine or instrument.
"To designate" something is to give it a specific name.
...unless the message is preceded by the correct three letter code group prefix.
A reference to the secret three letters that would tell the pilots
to ignore previous instructions to bomb the Soviets and to return to base.
Thats about the size of it.
A slangy way of saying "that is basically correct."
We are plowing through every possible three letter combination of the code.
"To plow through" something is to move through it quickly
("To plow" soil is to dig it up in order to be able to later plant seeds).
But given that there are 17,000 permutations...
A "permutation" is a change or variation from an original sample.
General Ripper called Strategic Air Command Headquarters.
The central military base where the Air Force is run.
I have a portion of the transcript of that conversation.
A "portion" is a section or part of a greater whole.
A "transcript" is the written version of a spoken conversation.
"For the sake of our country...I suggest you get the rest of the SAC in
after them...Otherwise, we will be totally destroyed by red retaliation.
To do something "for the sake of" a country is to it for its benefit
or well-being. The SAC is the Strategic Air Command, which controls the
Air Force. "Red" was a slang word for communists, though this is rarely
used today.
God willing, we will prevail, in peace and freedom from fear...and in
true health, through the purity and essence of our natural...fluids."
"To prevail" is to survive or continue moving forward.
"Essence" is the most critical or important part of something,
though when used by General Ripper, it doesnt seem to have any meaning.
There is nothing to figure out...This man is obviously a psychotic.
"To figure out" a problem is to find its answer or solution. If a
person is a "psychotic," they are psychologically sick or even insane.
When you instituted the human reliability test, you assured
me there was no possibility of such a thing ever occurring.
"To institute" a test or policy is to carry it out or make it happen.
In this case, a "human reliability test" is one designed to test the
reliability of a person, or more specifically, whether you can trust them.
I dont think its quite fair to condemn a
whole program because of a single slip up, Sir.
"To condemn" a person is to seriously criticize them.
A "slip up" is a minor or unimportant mistake.
Of course it isnt only physical! I deeply respect you as a human being!
What a man would tell his girlfriend if she feels he only likes her for sex.
The 23rd airborne division is stationed seven miles away at Alvarado.
If a military division is "stationed" in a
particular place, it is housed or located there.
Any force trying to enter there would certainly encounterheavy casualties.
"To encounter" something is to meet it or come in contact with it.
"Heavy casualties" means many deaths or serious injuries.
With all due respect for your defense team, my boys
could brush them aside without too much trouble.
"With all due respect" is a set expression used to show respect when you
still disagree with what has just been said. "To brush aside" a person or
group is to physically remove them without much effort.
Our hopes for recalling the 843rd bomber wing
are quickly being reduce to a low order of probability.
This is Turgidsons complicated way of saying that
it is becoming unlikely that the planes can be recalled.
They are going to go absolutely ape and strike back with everything they got.
In this case, "to go ape" is a very slangy way of saying to become
extremely angry. "To strike back" is to hit back after being attacked.
If prior to this time, we have done nothing further to suppress
their retaliatory capabilities, we will suffer virtual annihilation.
"Prior to" means before. "To suppress" something is to greatly weaken or
destroy it. "Retaliatory capability" is the ability to strike back after
being attacked. "Virtual annihilation" is almost total destruction.
If we were to immediately launch an all out and
coordinated attack on their airfields and missile bases
"To launch" an attack is to begin it (To launch a missile is to send it
into space). An "all out" attack is a complete and powerful one, and if
it is "coordinated," it is well organized by all important leaders.
...wed stand a damn good chance of catching them with their pants down!
"To stand a damn good chance" of doing something is to have a good possibility
of being able to do it. "To catch a person with their pants down" is a very
slangy way of saying to catch them completely unprepared.
Hell, weve got 5 to 1 missile superiority as it is...and wed still
have a very effective reserve force for any other contingency.
In this case, a "reserve force" is a military force that can be used after
the first attack has been launched. A "contingency" is any possible event
that could realistically happen.
We would therefore prevail and suffer only modest civilian casualties
from their remaining force, which would be badly damaged and uncoordinated.
"To prevail" is to survive, and for General Turgidson, "modest civilian
casualties" is only a few million killed (as opposed to tens of millions!).
General, it is the avowed policy of our country
never to strike first with nuclear weapons.
An "avowed policy" is a clearly stated and well known principle.
General Ripper has already invalidated that policy!
"To invalidate" a policy is to break it or to declare it no longer in force.
We are rapidly approaching a moment of truth...between two
regrettable but nevertheless distinguishable postwar environments.
If two things are "distinguishable," their
differences can easily be seen or understood.
Youre talking about mass murder, not war! :: Mr. President,
Im not saying we wouldnt get our hair mussed.
"To muss" something is to make it messy or unorganized.
No more than 10-20 million killed, tops! Depending on the breaks.
In this case, "tops" means the absolute maximum, and "the breaks"
means luck or more generally, the playing out of future events.
I will not go down in history as the greatest mass murderer since Hitler.
"To go down in history" is to be remembered by future generations.
They say hes having a fit about that squad of MPs.
"To have a fit" is a common and colloquial way of saying to show
extreme anger or emotional frustration. A "squad" is a small group
of people or a team, and "MPs" are the military police.
I dont know how to put this, Sir, but are you aware
of what a serious breach of security that would be?!
A "breach of security" is the release of information to others who can
use it in order to weaken or even destroy the person or organization.
Hell see the big board! :: That is precisely the idea!
A good alternative word for exactly.
Staines, get Premiere Kissoff on the hotline.
A famous telephone line that allowed American and Soviet
leaders to immediately talk to each other in times of crisis.
The President tries to calm the Russian Premiere, the Russian ambassador reveals the doomsday device, and Mandrake tries to get the recall code from Ripper before US planes hit their targets in Russia.Survival kit contents check One 45 caliber automatic,
two boxes of ammunition...four day concentrated rations...
A "survival kit" is a small box with everything needed to survive alone
for several days at a time. A "45 caliber automatic" is a type of gun.
"Ammunition" is bullets for the gun, and "concentrated rations" are small
packets of food.
Antibiotics, morphine, vitamin pills, pep pills, tranquilizer pills.
"Antibiotics" are medicines that fight bacteria, "morphine" is a pain-killing drug,
"pep pills" give you energy and "tranquilizers" relax you and allow you to sleep.
One issue of prophylactics, 3 lipsticks, 3 pair of Nylons.
A "prophylactic" is a fancy word for a condom. "Nylons"
are the material that womens stockings are made of.
A fellow could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with that stuff.
Note that by the 1960s, Las Vegas was famous for its night life and
relaxed moral standards. "Stuff" is an excellent word for things.
I dont support the work of imperialiststooges. :: Only commie stooges, huh?
An "imperialist" is a person who believes or excuses the social and
economic dominance of one country in other countries around the world.
A "stooge" is a person who faithfully serves a more powerful person,
though it has also come to mean a fool or idiot.
Youre going to let that lousy commie punk vomit all over us like that?!
"Lousy" is an excellent word for bad or horrible.
A "punk" is a bully or a badly behaved young person.
I said Premiere Kissoff is a degenerateatheistic commie!
A "degenerate" is a horrible person with no morals.
An "atheist" is a person who does not believe in God.
This clumsy fool tried to plant this ridiculous camera on me.
If a person is "clumsy," they are physically awkward or uncoordinated.
"To plant" an object on a person is to secretly put it on them or their
clothes without that person knowing.
This is outrageous! Ive never heard of such behavior in the war room before!
A powerful word meaning completely shocking or offensive.
You sure got to hand it to those commies!
"To hand it to" somebody is a colloquial way of saying to praise
them or give them credit for having done something difficult or valuable.
Probably got them from the army as war surplus.
Extra clothes and equipment that the army sells
to the public because it is no longer needed.
OK, open up at 200 yards! Fire!
In this case, to "open up" is to start shooting guns.
Clear and plain and coming through fine!
If a voice is "coming through" a phone line, it is being transmitted.
The bomb. The hydrogen bomb.
Note that "the bomb" usually refers to the atomic bomb in general,
though the hydrogen bomb, created in the 1950s, was much more powerful
than the atomic bombs used on Japan.
One of our base commanders...went a little funny in the head.
"To go a little funny in the head" is President
Muffleys gentle way of saying to go crazy.
He went and did a silly thing.
This is President Muffleys ridiculous way of talking about
General Rippers decision to attack the Soviet Union.
Listen, Ive been all over this with your ambassador. Its not a trick.
In this case, "to go over" something is to discuss it very seriously.
A "trick" is a plan or action designed to fool somebody or even
make them look stupid.
Wed like to give your air staff a complete rundown on the
targets, the flight plans and defensive systems of the planes.
A "rundown" is a summary of important or relevant information.
Sorry, you faded away.
"To fade away" is to grow weaker or quieter.
I see, just ask for Omsk information.
In this case, the telephone operator in the
city of Omsk who gives out phone numbers.
The fools, the madfools!
Note that here, a person who is mad is not angry but crazy.
A "fool" is a silly or stupid person who does stupid or silly things.
On no account will a commie ever drink water, and not without good reason.
One way of saying "Under no circumstances."
I dont quite see what youre getting at.
"I dont understand what youre saying."
You and I need fresh pure water to replenish our precious bodily fluids.
"To replenish" is to refill with water, energy or nutrition.
"Bodily fluids" are blood, saliva, semen, etc.
Have you ever wondered why I drink only distilled water?
Water that is purified (by evaporation and condensation).
Have you heard of fluoridation of water?
The adding of fluoride to water, which is a substance
that helps protect teeth from cavities and tooth decay.
Fluoridation is the most monstrously conceived and
dangerous communist plot we have ever had to face!
If something is "monstrously conceived," it is thought of or created for
the primary goal of doing great harm. A "plot" is a plan or conspiracy
usually carried out by two or more people to do something illegal or
very damaging. In the 1950s and 1960s, many conservative Americans
really did think fluoridation was a communist plot!
Two can play at this game, solider!
A set expression to tell a person that they can do the same thing as is
being done to them (In this case, General Ripper can shoot back at those
who are shooting at him).
In the name of Her Majesty and the Continental Congress, feed me the belt!
The Continental Congress was the colonial American group that declared
independence from England in 1776. In this case, the "belt" is a long line
of bullets that is fed into a machine gun.
The string in my leg is gone. Ive got a gammy leg. Gone. Shot off.
"String" is a very thin cord or rope, though its not clear what Captain
Mandrake means here. "Gammy" is a British word for physically impaired
or lame (Never used in the US).
Come over here. The Red Coats are coming!
One way of referring to British solider during the Revolutionary War.
When it is detonated, it will provide enough radioactive fallout, so
that in 10 months, the surface of the earth will be as dead as the moon.
"To detonate" a bomb is to explode it. "Radioactive fallout" is the
nuclear poison that covers the earth after a nuclear bomb goes off.
Come on, De Sadskey, thats ridiculous.
The most versatile phrasal verb in English,
in this case meaning " I dont believe you."
Cobalt Thorium G has a radioactive half-life of 93 years.
In this film, "Cobalt Thorium G" is a very dangerous and radioactive substance
than can destroy all life. If a metal has a "radioactive half-life" of 93 years,
it will stay radioactive and poisonous for that long.
If you take 50 H-bombs in the 40 megaton range and jacked them with Cobalt
Thorium G, when they are exploded they will produce a doomsday shroud.
Here, a "range" refers to approximate level or strength. "To jack" a bomb
with a substance is to add that substance, but this is never used. A "shroud"
is a cloth covering, or anything that covers or hides.
A lethal cloud of radioactivity, which will encircle the earth for 93 years.
If something is "lethal," it is deadly.
What a load of commie bull!
"A load of" something is a lot of it. "Bull" is lies or nonsense,
although the more common variation is the somewhat cruder bullshit!
It is not a thing a sane man would do; The doomsday
machine is designed to trigger itself automatically.
A Person who is "sane" is psychologically stable (the opposite of
crazy, or insane). "To trigger" a bomb or device is to set it off.
Surely, you can disarm it somehow!
"To disarm" a person or machine is take away its ability to kill
or injure, or to literally take away its guns or other arms.
Look at the big board; Theyre getting ready to clobber us!
"To clobber" someone is to hit or strike them hard.
This is absolute madness! Why should you build such a thing?!
Another word for insanity or craziness.
In the end, we could not keep up with the expenses
of the arms race, the space race and the peace race.
The "arms race" refers to the Cold War competition between the
US and Soviet Union to build as many nuclear bombs as possible
(The space race was the race to the moon, but there was no peace race).
At the same time, our people grumbled
for more nylons and washing machines.
"To grumble" is to complain in a soft voice.
"Nylons" is another word for womens panty hose.
Our doomsday scheme cost us just a small fraction
on what we had been spending in a single year.
A "scheme" is a plan that is often designed to do something illegal
or immoral. A "fraction" is a part of a greater whole, such as 1/5th.
The deciding factor was when we learned your country was
working along similar lines, and we were afraid of a doomsday gap.
A "deciding factor" is a key consideration or point which causes a `person to act
in a particular way. A "gap" is a space between two walls, or a difference in
production, in this case between two countries (The "missile gap" was an apparent lead
in Soviet production of missiles, but there has never been a "doomsday machine gap"!).
When did you first develop this theory?
A "theory" is a prediction or guess, often basic on scientific study.
During the physical act of love. Yes, a profound
sense of fatigue, of physical emptiness followed.
"The physical act of love" is a particularly ridiculous way to refer to sex.
"Profound" means deep (physically or philosophically). "Fatigue" is a good
alternative word to tired.
I was able to interpret these feeling correctly. Loss of essence.
General Rippers way of describing physical strength, though these are basically
complete nonsense words (The "essence" of a thing is its most important part).
I can assure it has not recurred, Mandrake.
If something "recurs," it happens again.
Women sense my power, and they seek the life essence.
More nonsense words from General Ripper, though
it is possible he is referring to his own sperm.
I do not avoid women, but I do deny them my essence.
"To avoid" a person is to try and stay away from them.
Cease-fire!
A military expression that refers to an agreement in which
both side agree to stop firing their guns and other weapons.
Those boys were like my children. Now they let me down.
"To let down" a person is to disappoint them.
Suppose a bit of water has gone off? Do I look at all rancid and clotted?!
In this case, Mandrake uses "gone off" to mean "become bad," though this is
never used in the US. "Rancid" is a powerful adjective meaning rotten or foul
smelling, and "clots" are pieces of solidified blood (though again, this is never
used in the US).
I was laying train lines for the bloody Japanese puff puffs.
"Bloody" is a very common way of saying "damn" in England, but it is
rare in the US (Its not clear what a puff puff is, though it may
be referring to a person who smokes, since one puffs on a cigarette).
It was just their way of having a bit of fun, the swine.
A "swine" is a pig, used as an insult word like ass or bastard.
Those clowns outside will give me a pretty good going over for the code.
In this context, to "give someone a good going over" is to aggressively
question or interview them, or physically abuse or even torture them.
I dont know how well I could stand up under torture.
"To stand up under" torture is to continue
to refuse to talk, or perhaps just to survive.
If those devils come back and try any rough stuff, well fight them together.
Here, "rough stuff" means any physical abuse or attack.
Youre going to wash and brush up. What a good idea.
"To brush up" is to clean oneself.
Water on the back of the neck makes you feel marvelous.
A nice word for wonderful or great.
The moment of truth approaches as Major Kong pilots his plane past Russian defenses
Copilot to navigator, Im ready with the fuelfigures now.
A "navigator" is responsible for telling a pilot where a plane is.
"Fuel" is another word for gas, and here, "figures" are numbers (3, 23, etc).
79,000 in the main and 30,000 in the auxiliaries.
This refers to main and auxiliary fuel tanks, where gas is stored
(An auxiliary tank is an extra one designed to back up a main tank).
And that works out to roughly 7 hours 15 minutes endurance for this time.
If a plan "works out to" several hours, it is equal to (or will last)
that long. "Endurance" is the strength or ability to last or survive.
An unidentified radar blip...it looks like a missile tracking us.
A "radar blip" is a very short or small sound or image, produced
on a screen designed to look for airplanes and other flying objects.
"To track" something is to follow it, or head toward it.
Commence evasive action, right.
"To commence" is to begin. "Evasive action" is any action designed
to escape being hit or captured by somebody or something else.
Missile closing range lock ECM to target intercept mode.
This is all technical military language saying that a missile is
getting close to the plane and the plane must fire something at the
missile to destroy it before it hits the plane.
Electronic guidance scramble to blue grid.
"To scramble" is to quickly move in a different direction.
A "grid" is square or particular place on a map or in space.
Missile still closing true and steady.
If a missile is "closing," it is getting closer. "Steady" means
predictably, without sudden or unexpected movements.
Range 10 miles. Missile track defecting.
"To defect" a missile is to force it off course from
the planned path that it had been following.
Missile detonated.
"To detonate" a missile is to explode it.
The hatch is stuck!
A "hatch" is a metal door or opening on a ship,
and if it is "stuck," it cant be moved or opened.
Extinguishers! Fuel valves!
A "fire extinguisher" is used to put out fires. A "valve" is a switch.
What the devil do you think youre doing, shooting your way in here?
Added to WH questions in order to show emotion such as anger
or frustration (though not as common as "What the hell...?")
This happens to be an RAF uniform, and Im group
Captain Lionel Madrake, General Rippers executive officer.
RAF stands for the Royal Air Force (of England). In this case, an
"executive officer" is a top assistant to a General in the army.
Its some kind of recurrent theme; Its a variation
of peace on earth or purity of essence.
A "recurrent theme" is a topic or subject of
conversation that continues to appear or show up.
Dont you know that General Ripper went as mad as a bloodyMarch hare and sent the whole wing to attack the Soviets?
A very British way of saying completely crazy
(A march hare is a well known rabbit).
Blast! Shot away, I expect by one of your men doing this ridiculous fighting!
"Blast" is Mandrakes very British way of saying damn or shit to express frustration
or anger. Note that "to expect" can mean to think, though this is a rare usage.
I suspect the auto-destruct mechanism got hit and blew itself up.
A mechanism is a small part of a machine or electronic device.
This gives us a radius of action to take out primary and secondary targets,
but we will not be able to make it back to any base or neutral country.
A "radius" is the distance from the center of a circle to the edge, and thus a
"radius of action" is the total space that an airplane can operate in before
running out of fuel. A "neutral" country does not support either side in a war,
but tries to stay out of the conflict.
However, we could have enough fuel to ditch at
weather ship Tango Delta, Grid Coordinates 0-0-3-6-1.
"To ditch" a plane is to crash it intentionally,
usually after jumping out of it with parachutes.
We got more holes in us than a horse traders mule.
A "mule" is a combination of a horse and donkey.
Were leaking fuel, and if we fly any lower,
wed need sleigh bells on this thing.
A "sleigh" is a vehicle that slides on snow.
At this height, they might harpoon us, but
they sure aint gonna spot us on no radar screen.
"To harpoon" a whale is to kill it with a large spear or pointed stick.
"To spot" somebody is to see them. Note that you should never
use "aint," and that going to--------> gonna in rapid speech.
I think youre some kind of deviated prevert...and
you were organizing some kind of mutiny of preverts.
A "pervert" is a person who is considered sexually bizarre or sick
(but note that Colonel Guamo badly mispronounces the word).
A "mutiny" is an uprising or rebellion against those people in power.
If you dont put that gun away and stop this stupid nonsense,
the court of inquiry on this will give you such a pranging...
In this case, a "court of inquiry" is a military court that investigates
a crime. A "pranging" must be an old British word for punishment,
but it is never used in the US.
...youll be lucky if you end up wearing a uniform of a bloody toilet attendant.
A person who cleans public bathrooms.
You try any preversions and Ill blow your head off.
A "perversion" is a sexual act that is considered abnormal
(though again, the pronunciation here is awful). "To blow a
persons head off" is to kill them by shooting them in the head.
Something very urgent has come up and I want
you to place an emergency person to person call.
If something is "urgent," it is extremely important and must be
taken care of immediately. If something "comes up," it unexpectedly appears.
Could you make this a collect call?
A "collect call" is one in which the person receiving the call pays for it.
Do you think Id go into combat with loose change?
"Combat" is another word for military conflict or fighting.
"Loose change" refers to the coins that people carry in their pockets.
Can you imagine what is going to happen to you when they learn
you have obstructed a call to the President of the United States?
"To obstruct" something is to block, impede or prevent it.
Thats what the bullets are for, you twit!
A nasty insult word for a weak or stupid person.
The recall code O.P.E. is being acknowledged by elements of the bomb wing.
A way of saying that many of the planes are returning because
they recognize the code telling them to stop the attack.
Im not a sentimentalist by nature, but I think
I know whats in every heart in this room.
A "sentimentalist" is a person who is easily moved by
emotions such as love, romance or nostalgia.
I think we ought to bow our heads and give
a short prayer of thanks for our deliverance.
"To bow" ones head is to face it toward the ground, in a sign of respect.
In this case, "deliverance" is the act of being saved, perhaps by God.
We have heard the wings of the angel of death
fluttering over our heads from the valley of fear.
"To flutter" is to move quickly or lightly while flapping wings,
like birds and insects do. All of this is Turgidsons way of saying
that they all came close to death, but God had saved them.
You have seen fit to deliver us from the forces of evil.
"To see fit to" do something is to think that its appropriate to do it.
Premiere Kissoffs calling again and hes hopping mad.
If a person is "hopping mad," they are extremely angry,
though this is rarely used (To hop is to jump like a rabbit).
Its headed for a missile complex at La Puta.
A group of buildings or underground structures that house nuclear
missiles (La Puta is the name of the area where it is located).
34 planes, 30 planes recalled and 4 splashes,
and one of those was targeted for La Puta.
A "splash" is the sound water makes after a person jumps in it,
but here Turgidson uses it to refer to planes that have been shot down.
Im beginning to smell a big, fat, commie rat!
"To smell a rat" is to think that there is something suspicious
or illegal going on, but you are not exactly sure what it is.
If the spaghetti hits the fan, were in trouble.
This is never used, but if "the shit hits the fan," this means that a lot
of trouble or problems are about to occur (crude, but useful and fun).
If this report is true and the plane manages to bomb
the target, is this going to set off the doomsday machine?
"To manage" to do something is to be able to do it, and to "set off" a machine
is to cause it to start doing what it has been designed to do.
Im sorry theyre jamming your radar and
flying so low, but theyre trained to do it.
"To jam radar" is to send electronic signals that prevent
enemy radar from seeing planes that are flying nearby. "To train" to
do something is to practice it a lot so that a person can master how to do it.
Its initiative.
In this case, "initiative" is the energy or
personal determination to perform a job well.
Theres no point in you getting hysterical at a moment like this.
If a person is "hysterical," they are extremely upset, angry or scared, and have
generally lost control of their emotions (Most leaders, if they were told that
their country was about to be bombed, would be hysterical!).
Im sorry, Sir, that estimate was based on the original loss rate, not at 2-0-5.
An "estimate" is a guess or approximation, based on the evidence available. In this
case, the "loss rate" refers to the amount of gas that the plane is losing per minute.
I dont give a hoot in hell how you do it.
This is a very dated way of saying " I dont
give a shit," or less colloquially, "I dont care."
Sir, thats the ICBM complex at Kotkos.
ICBMs are Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles, or those nuclear
missiles that flew from one continent to another during an attack.
All right, designating new target: 3-8-4.
"To designate" a new target is to officially name or announce it.
Well keep our fingers crossed, Dimitri.
And remember, were all in this together.
"To keep your fingers crossed" is a way of wishing for good luck.
Mr. President, if I may speak freely. The Ruskie talks
big, but frankly, we think hes short of know-how.
"Ruskie" is a ridiculous word for Russian. "Know-how" is the
ability to do something technical, in this case flying airforce jets.
You just cant expect a bunch of ignorantpeons to understand a machine like our boys.
If a person is "ignorant," they know little or nothing about a particular subject.
A "peon a very negative insult word for a small, poor or unimportant person.
You take your average Ruskie; We all know how much guts hes got.
"Guts" is a common colloquial word for courage or
bravery (It is literally the intestines of the stomach).
Cant you stick to the point, General?!
"To stick to the point" is to talk only about the subject people are
interested in, as opposed to others that arent relevant or important.
If hes really sharp, he can barrel in that baby so low!
In this case, "sharp" means skilled or intelligent. "To barrel in"
a plane is to fly in very fast, and in this case, very low.
Its jet exhaust frying chickens in the barnyard.
"Jet exhaust" is the black smoke that comes from a jets engine.
A "barnyard" is where farm animals are held (Turgidson is saying the US
planes will fly so low that farm animals will be cooked by the planes exhaust).
Ready for final bomb run check.
A test of all the key equipment on the plane before it begins to bomb.
Take over, Ace. :: Roger.
"Take over" is a way of telling a person to take control of what the
speaker was doing (such as flying the plane). "Ace" is a nickname
for a smart of skilled person. "Roger" is used as OK in the military.
Check bomb door circuits one through four. :: Negative function, lights red.
A "circuit" is an electronic switch. "Negative function"
is a military way of saying that something doesnt work.
The teleflex drive cable must be sheared away.
The "teleflex drive cable" is a thick cable used to open and shut.
If it is "sheared away," it has been cut away or split in two.
Stay on the bomb run. Im going to get them
doors open if it harelips everybody in Bear Creek.
A "harelip" is a birth defect in which a persons upper lip is split in two,
but its never used as a verb, the way Major Kong does here (Bear Creek must
be the town that Major Kong is from).
Target in sight! Where in hell is Major Kong?
A filler added to WH questions to show emotion such as frustration,
but note it is much more common to say "where the hell...?"
Dr. Strangelove and General Turgidson plan for a post-war world...
Mr. President, I would not rule out the chance
to preserve a nucleus of human specimens.
"To preserve" something is to keep it alive and healthy. A "nucleus of
human specimens" is Dr. Strangeloves way of saying an important group
of humans (A "nucleus" is the center of a cell, and a "specimen" is a small
example of something, often in a laboratory).
It would be quite easy at the bottom of some of our deeper mine shafts.
A "mine shaft" is an underground space that has been dug out for
different purposes, such as storing missiles or digging coal or gold.
The radioactivity would never penetrate a mine
thousands of feed deep, and in a matter of weeks....
"Radioactivity" is the atomic poison released by a nuclear
bomb. "To penetrate" a space is to physically push into it.
...sufficient improvements in dwelling space could easily be provided.
A "dwelling" is a home, so dwelling space is living space.
It would not be difficult, Mein Fuhrer.
The German words for "my leader," and the words Germans used to address Hitler!
Nuclear reactors could provide power almost indefinitely.
A good word for a long time into the future, or perhaps, forever.
Greenhouses could maintain plant life.
Animals could be bred and slaughtered.
A "greenhouse" is a glass structure where plants are grown. "To breed" animals
is to encourage them to have sex in order to reproduce, and to "slaughter"
animals is to kill them, usually in order to eat them.
The computers could be programmed to accept factors from youth, health,
sexual fertility, intelligence and a cross-section of necessary skills.
Note that computers are "programmed," which means they are instructed
to do various jobs through the use of a computer language. A "cross-section"
is a wide variety, in this case, a wide variety of skills.
Of course, it would be absolutely vital that our
top government and military men be included...
"Vital" means extremely important or critical.
...to foster and impart the required principles of leadership and tradition.
"To foster" is to encourage to grow or develop,
and "to impart" is to grant or give knowledge.
Naturally, they would breed prodigiously.
"To breed prodigiously" is to reproduce with great speed.
With proper breeding techniques and a ratio of 10 females to each male, they
could work their way back to pre-war gross national product within 20 years.
A ratio is the amount of one thing compared to another (Thus, in the case above,
10 females for every male). The "gross national product" is the value of all the
goods and services that a country produces each year (It is now more commonly
called the gross domestic product).
Wouldnt this nucleus of survivors be so grief stricken and anguished
that they would envy the dead and not want to go on living?
If a person is "grief stricken" or "anguished," they are so emotionally upset
that they can barely function in life. "To envy" someone else is to be jealous
of them, or to wish you had what they had.
The prevailing emotion will be of nostalgia for those left behind,
combined with a spirit of bold curiosity for the adventure ahead!
If something is "prevailing," it is long-lasting or dominant.
"Nostalgia" is a warm feeling of fondness for past times.
Wouldnt that necessitate the abandonment
of the so-calledmonogamous sexual relationship?
"So-called" is used to describe something that is called by a name that
the speaker does not agree with, or perhaps does not understand. If a couple
are "monogamous," they do not have sex with others.
I hasten to add that since each man will be
required to do prodigious...service along these lines...
"To hasten" to do something is to do it as quickly as possible.
"Prodigious" is in great quantity or speed. Dr. Strangelove is saying that
men will have to have sex with lots of women in the post-war world.
...the women will have to be selected...for their sexual
characteristics which will have to be of a highly stimulating nature.
"Characteristics" are features or qualities, such as height or hair color.
In this case, women who are of a "highly stimulating nature" are very beautiful
or sexy, and thus can easily stimulate or excite men.
You have an astonishingly good idea, doctor!
If something is "astonishing," it is amazing, incredible or shocking.
Suppose the Ruskies stashed away some big bombs, and we didnt?
"To stash away" something is to store it in a hidden place.
When they come out in 100 years, they could take over!
"To take over" a country is to occupy or control it.
It would be extremely naïve of us to imagine that these new developments
are going to cause any change in Soviet expansionist policy!
If a person is "naïve," they are young and inexperienced or
perhaps innocent. "Soviet Expansionist policy" refers to
Soviet foreign policy, which many Americans thought was designed
to help the Soviet Union expand and take over the world.
We must be increasingly on the alert to prevent them from taking over
other mine shaft space in order to breed more prodigiously than we do...
To be "on the alert" is to be especially careful,
cautious or attentive to possible dangers.
...thus knocking us out with superior numbers when we emerge!
To "knock out" a person is to hit them so hard they are left unconscious.
"To emerge" from a mine shaft or any other whole is to climb up out of it.

Dr. StrangeloveSome Potential Questions for ESL Class Discussion

1. Could one crazy person start a nuclear war today?
2. Did General Turgidson have a defensible argument when he tried to convince
the President to launch an all-out attack in order to minimize the possible effects
of a Soviet counterattack?
3. Does the logic of a doomsday machine---as it was to be used
by the Soviets in this movie---make any sense?
4. Was this movie funny, or just scary, or both?
5. Who was the most insane character in the movie?
6. What did you like and not like about this film?